Archives November 2024

Hyderabad, 25 November 2024: Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (AIMSR) Hyderabad; hosted the White Coat Ceremony, for the MBBS Class of 2024 students, at the RNR Auditorium, Jubilee Hills, today. Chief Guest Dr. Rooma Sinha, Honorary Professor, Gynecology, Apollo Hospitals; presented the White Coats to students on the occasion. Ms. Aparna Reddy, COO, AIMSR; Dr. K. Manohar, Dean, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research; along with the faculty from the Institute and parents of students, were present to catch a glimpse of the momentous occasion.

 Speaking on the occasion Dr. Rooma Sinha said, being a medical student is a life changing event, the two most important attributes to be a doctor are intelligence and hard work, and you have both, because of which you are here. One thing I believe very much, and you must inculcate from today that you are the best advocate for your patient, you need to live up to the trust your patient comes to you with. You need to give him the best advice that you can, if you can’t collaborate with someone and give the best advice, which leaves an impression that you are their best advocate. When you converse with the patient be calm and confident for the patient to trust in what you are doing. Patients don’t need sympathy, they want someone who empathizes with their problem and tries to find a solution for it, therefore empathy with the patient is critical. Honesty is an attribute we need to imbibe, if you don’t know what the patient is suffering from, don’t do what you know, make sure the patient gets the right treatment, the right advice, your honesty will come back to you, if the patient gets better with your advice, they will remember you for life time, that’s the respect a doctor earns in his life, no other profession has that privilege. Be passionate about what you are doing, medicine won’t work without passion.

White Coat Ceremony is a memorable experience for students taking their initial steps into the noble profession of Medicine, by joining the medical school. One hundred and fifty students of the 2024 batch of the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, were welcomed into the medical fraternity by the faculty and were ceremonially cloaked with their white aprons. The students dressed elegantly in white, later took the Hippocrates oath, traditionally sworn at graduation.

Dr. K. Manohar said, the white coat ceremony marks the beginning of a student’s medical career. This phase needs the utmost attention from each student to lay a strong foundation for the medical career ahead. What we are doing at Apollo is different from any other college in the state. We are the first and the only institute to comply with the CBME curriculum in India and we introduced last year the taking up of proposal of research by the students in the first year itself, they go for data collection with the help of the mentor in the second phase and write the paper in the third year, so that you have good experience of doing some original research work in the field, this will be helpful in the wonderful program designed by NMC called family adoption program. Right from the first phase you are exposed to the society and people and develop a rich experience of communicating and understanding the disease profile in the society, which helps to formulate the problems the society is facing. These experiences will pave the way for brighter future for the students. Medicine is not like other streams, the day when you cease to read, your practice may come to an end, studying is an ongoing process, learning doesn’t stop with fetching a degree, till we die we need to continue updating our knowledge.  

Ms. Aparna Reddy said, as you begin your medical journey I urge you to remember the oath you take today, remember the commitment you make to uphold the high standards of professionalism, to respect the autonomy and dignity of the patients and to provide compassionate and evidence based care. 

Delhi, November 25, 2024: Bandhan Life, a leading life insurance provider, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its strategic partnership with Bandhan Bank into Northern India. This significant move is part of Bandhan Life’s ongoing national rollout, following successful launch of operations in Eastern India.

Customers across Delhi can buy Bandhan Life’s insurance products at 142 Bandhan Bank branches:

Bandhan Life iGuarantee Vishwas: A savings life insurance plan offering guaranteed returns up to 2.5 times the premiums paid, along with life cover of 10 times the premiums paid. Ideal for achieving major life goals like funding education, buying a home, or planning a dream vacation.

Bandhan Life iInvest II: A unit-linked insurance plan (ULIP) providing market-linked returns and substantial life cover of up to 20 times the annual premium. Offering cost-effective premiums, this plan allows customers to customise their investment strategies and enjoy partial withdrawals after five years. The plan features top-performing, 5-star and 4-star rated funds* that have consistently outperformed industry benchmarks.

Bandhan Life Shubh Samriddhi: A non-linked, participating life insurance savings plan that offers long-term savings and life coverage. It provides flexible options for accumulating or receiving cash bonuses from the first policy year, helping policyholders meet financial goals such as education or retirement. Key benefits include a lump sum payout at maturity, life insurance cover until age 100, and customizable cash bonus payouts. In case of death, the nominee receives a lump sum death benefit, inclusive of the Sum Assured on Death and a Terminal Bonus (if declared). With premiums starting as low as INR 2,175 per month, this plan offers affordable financial security and protection for the policyholder’s family.

Bandhan Bank customers in Delhi can now obtain these tailor-made life insurance policies in a few minutes, thanks to Bandhan Life’s technology-driven solutions.

Satishwar B., MD & CEO at Bandhan Life, said: “We are delighted to expand our strategic partnership with Bandhan Bank in Delhi, making our range of life insurance products more accessible to its customers. This collaboration underscores our commitment in providing simple, reliable, and technology-driven insurance solutions. This expansion marks a key step in our commitment to making insurance accessible to every household.”

Indranil Dutta, Chief Business Officer-Bancassurance at Bandhan Life, said, “Launching in India’s capital is a significant milestone for us. Our goal is to offer financial security and peace of mind to customers at every life stage. With technology and simplicity at the forefront, we’re making the insurance process faster and more convenient. We are committed to expanding this accessibility across the nation.”

Bangalore – November 25, 2024: The Flipkart Group today announced the appointment of Dan Bartlett, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Walmart Inc, as a Board Member effective November 21, 2024.

As head of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Inc., Dan and his team advise the business, build trust and motivate change by shaping public policy, leading sustainability, philanthropic initiatives and telling the story of how the company fulfills its purpose. He also leads Corporate Real Estate and the development of Walmart’s new home office campus in Bentonville, Ark.

Bartlett has decades of experience in public relations and government affairs. Before joining Walmart, Dan held leadership positions at leading public relations firms, including Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Public Strategies, Inc. Dan’s career began in public service, playing key roles in George W. Bush’s presidential and Texas gubernatorial campaigns. This work led him to the White House, where he served in several high-ranking positions, completing his service as counsellor to President Bush.

Dan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where he continues to be involved as an adjunct faculty member and as a fellow of the school’s Center for Politics and Governance. An outdoor enthusiast, he also serves on the board of directors of Trek Bicycles.

On joining the Flipkart Board, Dan Bartlett said, “I am honored to join the Flipkart board and to contribute to the company’s ongoing success. The Flipkart Group has been instrumental in driving transformative change by enhancing value and access for customers across India. It has a significant opportunity to further contribute to job creation while focusing on equitable and sustainable growth. I look forward to being part of the company’s future development and helping to shape its vision.”

Welcoming Dan to the Board, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board, Flipkart Group, said, “Dan has been a close partner for Flipkart since our association with Walmart in 2018. We are proud to welcome him to the Board, and will greatly benefit from his extensive experience in strategy, and building long-standing responsible and sustainable businesses.”

New Delhi, 25 November 2024 – The inaugural day of the World Crafts Forum 2024 was a resounding success, setting the stage for three days of insightful discussions, vibrant cultural showcases, and powerful networking within the global craft community. This was the 60th anniversary of the WCC AISBL, and the event took place at the National Craft Museum & Hastkala Academy in New Delhi, beginning the celebrations with a powerful message of collaboration, sustainability, and innovation in the crafts sector.

The day’s proceedings began with the highly anticipated Roundtable on Value of Crafts & Sustainability, where panellists and participants delved into the growing importance of sustainability in the crafts sector. Discussions explored how crafts contribute to sustainable economic growth and cultural preservation while unearthing the intangible values that crafts bring to communities and societies.

The major event of the day was the Inaugural Ceremony, which marked the World Crafts Forum 2024 officially. The ceremony marked six decades of this world council’s leadership in communicating and popularizing the global crafts movement. Chief Guest Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Ministry of Textiles & External Affairs, Government of India, advocated eloquently about how the existence of crafts plays an integral role in the country’s culture as well as in the country’s economy.

“Crafts are not merely products; they are living stories of human ingenuity, tradition, and identity. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the World Crafts Council, let us honor the artisans who unite the past and the future with their unmatched skill and passion. India, with its rich heritage of craftsmanship, stands proud as a beacon of creativity, sustainability, and innovation, leading the world toward a brighter, more connected future.” he said in his speech.

Rohit Kansal, IAS, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India concluded, “The World Crafts Forum will mark a turning point in how crafts are perceived, creating new opportunities for artisans and building a resilient crafts ecosystem.”

Smt. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner for Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, remarked, “This event showcases India’s commitment to preserving and promoting its diverse crafts while fostering global collaboration.”

Esteemed Guests of Honour also shared their thoughts, with Mr. Saad Al-Qaddumi, President of WCC AISBL, saying that global cooperation can restore the art of crafts for generations to come.

“World Crafts Council’s constant endeavour is to re energise the craft movement around the world and the 60 years celebration of WCC in India along with the Development Commissioner Handicrafts sets the stage for a major leap forward for WCC’s flagship programs around the world,” added Mr. Al-Qaddumi.

Mr. Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO South Asia, was speaking on the importance of intangible cultural heritage in sustainable development.

“UNESCO believes strongly that preserving traditional crafts is not only important for cultural identity but also for the future of sustainable economies. The World Crafts Forum is an important platform to explore these intersections,” said Mr. Curtis.

“The theme” crafts connecting the world is about leveraging crafts for a resurgent creative economy and for shaping a Sustainable Future for the planet and its people.” Dr. Darlie Koshy, Strategic Advisor

Somesh Singh, Steering Group Member and Craft Village Founder said “with the success of the previous International Craft weeks in Delhi, stage is set for taking crafts to the forefront to integrate and mainstream with the unprecedented strides of the country during Amrit kal along with other initiatives of the Govt of India and to place Indian Crafts on the centre stage of global crafts ecosystem being catalysed by the WCÇ AISBL

After the official opening, the Panel Discussion on Craft Fund: Establishing Craft Incubation and Entrepreneurship took place, discussing the urgent need for start-up support structures within the craft field of work. The panellists emphasized the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in ensuring that traditional crafts not only survive but thrive in the modern economy.

The day will conclude with a Cultural Evening, showcasing rich traditional performances. And opening of EPCH gallery of Best of Indian Crafts.

Part of the day’s activities, the forum featured special film screenings: Aadyam Handwoven Films highlighting rich craft traditions of Banaras, Bhadoi, Pochampally and others. They offer profound insights into craftsmanship, techniques, and stories behind some of India’s most celebrated weaves.

Bengaluru, 25 November, 2024: Tata Motors, India’s leading automobile company, today released its 10th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, celebrating the transformative impact of its strategic community interventions. Highlighting the sustainable impact made on the lives of over 1 million people, this milestone report, titled “Building Together a Million Dreams,” is dedicated to the crucial role that partnerships have played throughout this decade-long journey. With more than 40 percent of beneficiaries belonging to the SC and ST communities, Tata Motors has significantly broadened its CSR footprint beyond the proximate communities, reaching 94 aspirational districts across 26 states and 8 union territories.

Commenting on the launch of the 10th Annual CSR Report, Vinod Kulkarni, Head of CSR at Tata Motors, said, “We are immensely proud of the strides we have made in transforming over one million lives through our committed CSR initiatives. Our innovative ‘More for Less for More’ strategy has empowered us to drive efficiencies, adopt technology, optimise resources and scale up programmes, broadening our reach and deepening our impact nationwide. This success is a testament to the unwavering support of our partners and the trust of the communities we serve. As we advance, we remain dedicated to addressing critical social issues and leveraging government schemes to promote sustainable development in education, health, employability, and environmental protection.”

Throughout the year, Tata Motors emphasised on the convergence of strength across the government, non-government, and private sectors to implement focussed social interventions in Health (Aarogya), Education (Vidyadhanam), Employability (Kaushalya), and Environment (Vasundhara), with a special emphasis on Water Conservation and Integrated Village Development.

Key highlights of Tata Motors’ CSR report for FY24

Advancing Water Security

Through a partnership with NAAM Foundation, MGNREGA Department, and the Government of Maharashtra, Tata Motors has rejuvenated and developed 106 water bodies in rural Maharashtra under the Government of India’s   Amrit Sarovar Mission. This initiative to date has created a capacity of  1,860 million litres of water across Palghar, Pune, and Satara districts, enhancing agricultural productivity, raising water tables, providing access to potable water, and ensuring year-round irrigation.

Enhancing Rural Livelihoods Through Integrated Community Development

Tata Motors adopts a holistic approach to engage with rural communities with a specific focus on strengthening local governance. The Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP), which began in the tribal block of Jawahar in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, has now been replicated in proximate communities of other plant locations like Pune, Sanand, Jamshedpur and Lucknow.

Expanding its engagement to five-gram panchayats in Jawahar, IVDP has reduced migration from 45 percent to 25 percent, increased average household income by 60 percent, and ensured year-round availability of water in this tribal belt. Tata Motors has transformed the barren hamlet of Navapara in Ahmedabad district, inhabited by an underprivileged tribal community. With year-round access to potable water, 190 of the 230 households have adopted fishery as the key source of income. Migration of the community has reduced by 40 percent and there is a 10 percent decline in the rate of school dropouts

Creating a Greener and More Sustainable Environment

In collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the BAIF Institute under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, Tata Motors has planted 1.7 million saplings across Palghar district in Maharashtra, benefiting 13,000 farmers and converting 13,000 acres of unutilised farmland to productive use.

Tata Motors’ Urban Forestry initiative, in partnership with the TERRE Policy Centre, has planted 125,000 trees over a cumulative area of 200 hectares in and around Pune. These urban forests absorb 300,000 kg of carbon annually, protect biodiversity, and improve air quality.

Empowering Students through Enhanced Educational Support

The Engineering NEET Admission Bridge Accelerated Learning Engagement (ENABLE) Programme, in collaboration with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Avanti Fellows, and Ex-Navodaya Foundation, supports over 550 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas with coaching, live classes, and mock tests for JEE and NEET exams. Annually, ENABLE coaches and counsels 18,000 science students of Std XI and Std XII via a digital platform to prepare for medical and engineering entrance examinations. In 2023-24, 27 percent of students from the ENABLE online programme qualified for IIT JEE while 79 percent qualified in the NEET exams.

Building New Career Paths for Youth

Learn, Earn and Progress (LEAP), a flagship social responsibility programme, imparts auto trade skills in Motor Mechanic Vehicles (MMV) to youths from underserved communities, especially school dropouts who lack the skills to be employed. Partnering with ITIs, Skills for Progress (SKIP), and Tata Motors dealers, it provides three months of theory training followed by nine months of On-Job-Training (OJT). With its footprint in 16 states, LEAP trains around 1500 youth annually, ~80 percent of whom get placed within or outside the Tata Motors ecosystem. A significant segment of LEAP’s beneficiaries are first-generation learners.

Improving the livelihood of the tribals’

Despite having first and natural rights over forest produce, tribal families from Junnar and Ambegaon talukas in Pune district of Maharashtra were not permitted by the government to undertake commercial purchase or sale of hirda berries. In 2020, a Farmers Producer Group (FPG) was established under the guidance of Tata Motors and Shashwat Sanstha to train and employ local youth for the procurement and sale of hirda.

The FPG has grown from 300 families in 11 villages to over 5,000 families across four talukas. The real-time, fair pricing provided to the farmers has resulted in generating INR 4 crore in revenue over four years. This initiative has enhanced family incomes, arrested migration, and promoted sustainable agricultural practices.

Holistic Health Initiatives

In 2023-24 the Malnutrition Treatment Centre (MTC) in Jamshedpur, in partnership with Parivar Kalyan Sansthan (PKS), extended its healthcare services in remote areas and increased capacity-building programmes for the Anganwadi workers. MTC, which treats 5,500 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) annually, achieved more than two-fold growth in its outreach.

Building on this success, Tata Motors has expanded its efforts to combat malnutrition by collaborating with the Institute of Social Development (ISD) and the Child Development Department in Uttarakhand to establish the Parvarish Kendras and improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities.

Strengthening Employee Volunteering

Tata Motors undertook transformative measures to fortify volunteering as an organisational culture. The company reported the highest-ever employee participation of 59 percent as they volunteered 1,17,000 hours for community service.

Kolkata, West Bengal: Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH, a global leader in the heat treatment industry, has announced the launched of its wholly owned subsidiary, Wienstroth Furnaces India Private Limited, with its first office in Rajarhat, Kolkata, West Bengal.

The announcement was initially previewed during the Eastern Region Members’ Meet of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce in August 2024, and the grand opening ceremony took place at Taj Bengal on 22nd November 2024 in the presence of Hon’ble Minister Shashi Panja, Cabinet Minister for Industries, Commerce and Enterprises, Government of West Bengal; Ms. Barbara Voss, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of India, Kolkata; Mr. Tom Reiner, Regional Director Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata; Mr. Thomas Winkelhofer, Managing Director, Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH, Germany; Ms Ingrid Bünker-Volmer, Co-Managing Director , Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH, Germany; Mr. Benedikt Schoofs, Technical Director , Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH, Germany; Mr. Max Boskamp, Plant Director, Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH, Germany; Mr. Debasish Mukherjee, Managing Director, Wienstroth Furnaces India Pvt Ltd, Mr. Jaideep Alexander, ED, Wienstroth Furnaces India Pvt Ltd.

The company choosing West Bengal as the location for this venture underscores its strategic importance. The state offers unique advantages, including its geographical positioning for efficient distribution and a pool of highly skilled professionals. After evaluating other industrial hubs like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, the leadership team recognized West Bengal’s potential as an ideal base for their Indian operations. This decision was driven by collaborative efforts between the German leadership and Indian directors, ensuring the parent company’s confidence in investing in the region.

Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH has a rich legacy of excellence in steel heat treatment, with operations in Germany and China and a client base spanning the globe. The company has installed 10 furnaces in India to support the country’s growing ball-bearing industry. This new subsidiary represents a significant step in meeting India’s rising demand for heat treatment services, particularly as the bearing sector anticipates substantial growth.

The German parent company also brings technological expertise, having acquired the intangible assets of the now-insolvent HSH Härtereitechnik GmbH in December 2020. Through this expansion, Wienstroth aims to deliver world-class heat treatment solutions tailored to the Indian market.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thomas Winkelhofer, Managing Director, Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH, Germany, said, ‘Innovation and quality are the cornerstones of Wienstroth’s operations. Our newly established Indian subsidiary will leverage state-of-the-art technology and advanced methodologies to deliver superior heat treatment solutions. This expansion reaffirms our commitment to providing our clients with the most effective and efficient solutions available. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government of West Bengal and all stakeholders for their support and look forward to a successful partnership as we embark on this new venture.’

“The establishment of Wienstroth Furnaces India Private Limited marks a pivotal investment in India’s heat treatment sector. Our presence in West Bengal will catalyze industrial growth, foster collaborations, and create opportunities for innovation. Also, West Bengal’s abundant talent pool will play a crucial role in driving the subsidiary’s success. The company’s strategic location will ensure seamless connectivity across India and neighbouring markets, enhancing supply chain efficiency”, stated Mr. Debasish Mukherjee, Managing Director, Wienstroth Furnaces India Private Limited.

Mr. Jaideep Alexander, Executive Director of Wienstroth Furnaces India Private Limited, said, “The new subsidiary solidifies Wienstroth’s commitment to the Indian market while contributing to the regional economy and industrial development. It represents a promising partnership between India and Germany, aiming for sustainable growth and mutual success.”

On the occasion Hon’ble Minister Shashi Panja, Cabinet Minister for Industries, Commerce and Enterprises, Government of West Bengal said “We welcome Wienstroth Furnaces India Pvt Ltd to West Bengal, a significant milestone that underscores the strong bond between West Bengal and the global business community. This coincides beautifully with the celebration of German Unity Day, marking a shared vision for progress and collaboration. West Bengal offers a wealth of resources — from a skilled workforce and abundant water supply to a stable power infrastructure. Coupled with an open-minded and supportive government, the state is well-equipped to support businesses in their growth journey. As we continue to strengthen our ties with the German business community, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering innovation, trade, and investment that benefits both the state and the nation. What is good for Bengal is good for India.”

In a bid to foster a dynamic sports culture, EDM Mall, owned by CCPL, is proud to announce its collaboration with Satan’s Paradise to host the Chess-O-Mania Tournament 2024 on November 24th, 2024. This exciting event will bring together chess enthusiasts from across the city, featuring competitive categories for players in the Under 10 and Under 15 age groups.

The Chess-O-Mania Tournament 2024 serves as a platform for young talent, encouraging participation from budding chess players as well as corporate professionals. The tournament will not only provide an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their strategic abilities but also promote the values of healthy competition, skill development, and teamwork. Through this initiative, EDM Mall underscores its commitment to the holistic development of young minds through sports.

As the city faces deteriorating air quality, this indoor tournament offers the perfect setting for families to engage in quality time together in a safe and comfortable environment. Whether it’s parents competing against their children or spectators cheering on the players, the event promises fun and learning for all. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the mall’s amenities, making it a well-rounded experience for the entire family.

Gaurav Gulati, Managing Director of CCPL, expressed: “We are thrilled to host the Chess-O-Mania Tournament, a unique opportunity for chess enthusiasts of all ages to come together and enjoy the game. Chess is an excellent way to challenge the mind while promoting friendly competition. At EDM Mall, we’re excited to offer an indoor space where families can create memories and enjoy this wonderful event. We hope this tournament not only highlights the importance of sports in personal growth but also strengthens our community.”

The Chess-O-Mania Tournament 2024 will be professionally organized by Global Sports Academy and Mindgame Chess Academy, with expert guidance from Coach Vivek Mitra, Shashank Kumar, and Chief Arbiter Ms. Anisha Singh. Participants can register easily through the Gamerun Platform, and the winners and runners-up in each category will receive trophies, certificates, and exciting gift hampers.

BANGALORE/INDIA—NOVEMBER 25, 2024—New Relic, the Intelligent Observability Platform, published its State of Observability for Retail report, showcasing how leading retail organizations are using observability to enhance digital customer experiences, and improve operational efficiency. The report, based on insights from 148 technologists and decision makers working in the retail industry, underscores the strategic importance of observability, with respondents reporting 4x return on investment (ROI).

“Retailers need to deliver great digital experiences to their customers, and they rely on observability to let them see into their digital presence,” said New Relic Chief Technology Strategist Nic Benders. “The findings in the report clearly show how strategic investments in observability not only drive technological innovation, but also lead to tangible business outcomes, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational visibility.”

Retailers are minimizing downtime and optimizing customer journeys with observability

Retailers are using observability to deliver business value and gain a competitive edge. As retail organizations prepare for peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, observability solutions like the New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform are helping them address key challenges, from minimizing downtime to optimizing online customer journeys. Retailers are also advancing AI and IoT to build resilience and streamline operations.

Retail and consumer organizations adopted alerts (62%) and network monitoring (59%) at higher rates than other industries, highlighting the demand for rapid, actionable insights in fast-paced retail environments. Retail organizations outpace other sectors in addressing outages, with a median mean-time-to-detection (MTTD) of just 32 minutes. This agility translates to a median annual downtime of 164 hours—41% lower than other industries surveyed in the wider 2024 Observability Forecast report.

Retailers plan to deploy browser, mobile, and synthetic monitoring to enhance digital experience

With billions in consumer spending shifting online, digital experience monitoring (DEM) has become a cornerstone of growth. DEM combines real user monitoring (RUM)—covering browser and mobile monitoring—with synthetic monitoring for proactive testing and improvement. Over half (52%) of the respondents said they planned to deploy synthetic monitoring within three years, 49% anticipated deploying mobile monitoring and 42% planned to implement browser monitoring to optimize online customer journeys.

Retailers are adopting Security, AI, and IoT to build resilience and streamline operations across their digital estate

Security, governance, risk and compliance was the top technology strategy driving observability adoption, with 46% of retail organizations indicating this was the case. Artificial intelligence technologies are also a significant catalyst, with 39% of retail respondents identifying AI as a key driver for observability. This trend reflects the sector’s commitment to leveraging AI for enhanced decision-making, customer insights, and operational efficiencies. In addition to AI, cost management (36%) and customer experience management (34%) are pivotal strategies shaping the observability landscape.

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies was another key factor, with 32% of retail organizations saying this was driving their desire to adopt observability. IoT can serve multiple functions in retailers, including inventory tracking and monitoring in-store sales personnel. This was higher than any sector except media and entertainment, highlighting retail’s proactive stance in harnessing IoT for operational excellence.

Retailers prefer a single, consolidated observability platform to connect IT performance data to business outcomes

In a push to enhance operational efficiency and drive business value, retail and consumer organizations have their sights set on achieving full-stack observability. While only 18% of organizations have reached this milestone, the sector is making strategic strides to overcome barriers like an overload of monitoring tools and siloed data, which 35% identified as major hurdles.

One such way they are making this transition is through tool consolidation, with retail organizations now using 4.4 tools, down from 5.4 in 2023 and 5.9 in 2022, and outperforming the broader industry average of 4.5 tools. This proactive consolidation effort will support the shift to full-stack observability, with nearly half of the organizations surveyed planning to further streamline their observability investments within the next year to unlock greater operational efficiency and maximize return on investment.

As retail organizations prioritize their observability strategies, the focus is on selecting platforms that offer comprehensive capabilities, affordability, and real-time linkage of business outcomes to telemetry data. With 41% favoring a single, integrated observability platform, the retail sector is poised to harness powerful, consolidated solutions that promise transformative impacts on business operations and customer experience. This strategic leap marks a significant step forward in driving the sector’s competitive edge in an increasingly digital marketplace.

“Just as a carpenter has a suite of tools on hand to complete a job, running an effective e-commerce site requires that the right tools are used—it makes the team much more productive overall.” -Goran Stefkovski, Chief Technology Officer at Kogan

November 25: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued an ex-parte order against several popular unregulated and unregistered online platforms, including Altgraaf.com, Tapinvest.in, and Stable-Investments.com, prohibiting them from selling and soliciting unlisted Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) to retail investors.

In its order, SEBI stated that offering unlisted NCDs via private placement to more than 200 people should be classified as a public issue under the Companies Act, 2013. SEBI also noted that, prima facie, the structure employed by these platforms falls within the ambit of fraud as per Section 12A of the SEBI Act and Regulations 3 and 4(1) of the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to the Securities Market) Regulations, 2003.

The order further highlighted that these platforms made securities available for sale to the general public, rather than to a predefined group of investors. This practice violated the provisions of Section 42 of the Companies Act. Additionally, SEBI emphasized that the norms applicable to the public issuance of securities are equally enforceable for secondary market transactions.

Advocate Mayura Maru, commenting on the order, said, “We have been continuously writing to SEBI about such platforms, as thousands of crores of public money have been raised in recent years. Regulating these platforms is crucial for protecting small investors. These platforms clearly violate various corporate laws related to the issuance of securities to the public and disclosure norms, similar to what we saw in the Sahara case. We hope that regulators take appropriate legal action to ensure that such dubious investment structures do not emerge in the future.”

India-wide, 25 November 2024: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), supported by Netflix, has today unveiled nine emerging talents from the film, television and games industries selected for its BAFTA Breakthrough India 2024 cohort. BAFTA is introducing its UK, USA and India participants simultaneously, with 43 talented individuals selected globally.

The nine names for BAFTA Breakthrough India were selected by a distinguished jury of leading experts in the creative industry, including Jury Chair and BAFTA Breakthrough Ambassador Guneet Monga Kapoor (Producer, Founder & CEO, Sikhya Entertainment), Manvendra Shukul (CEO, Lakshya Digital), Monika Shergill (Vice President, Content – Netflix India), Palomi Ghosh (Actor and former Breakthrough India), Rajiv Menon (Filmmaker), Ratna Pathak Shah (Actor, Theatre Director), Sangeeta Datta (Filmmaker), Shonali Bose (Filmmaker) and Sushmit Ghosh (Filmmaker).

The list of BAFTA Breakthrough India participants for 2024 is:

• Abhinav Chokhavatia | Game Producer – Down and Out
• Christo Tomy | Director – Curry and Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case
• Deepa Bhatia |Writer/ Director/ Producer – First Act
• Dhiman Karmakar | Sound Designer/ Production Sound Mixer

– Amar Singh Chamkila

• Jaydeep Sarkar | Showrunner/ Series Director/ Executive Producer- Rainbow Rishta
• Monisha Thyagarajan |Series Producer – The Hunt For Veerappan
• Neeraj Kumar | Producer/ Lead Developer – Artifice: War Tactics
• Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy | Director/Writer/Performer – Aachar & Co
• Varun Grover |Writer/ Director – All India Rank

Over the last three years, BAFTA Breakthrough, supported by Netflix, has discovered and nurtured upcoming professionals from the film, games and television industries across India. It has equipped them with the resources they need to hone their skills and thrive in their chosen line of creative work in the screen industries. As part of this programme, the Breakthroughs were provided with invaluable support in networking and learning from a global creative community, including experts such as Richie Mehta, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Paul Laverty, Graham Broadbent, amongst others.

Jane Millichip, Chief Executive Officer, BAFTA, said: “BAFTA Breakthrough, now in its 11th year, spotlights a host of emerging and talented ‘must-watch’ creative practitioners working across film, games and television. This year we have an amazing roster of casting directors, producers, writers, performers, lead artists, cinematographers, lead developers, and more. We urge the industry to take note. A huge thank you to Netflix, whose support makes BAFTA Breakthrough possible.”

Guneet Monga Kapoor, BAFTA Breakthrough India Ambassador and Jury Chair, said: “A massive congratulations to this year’s nine India Breakthroughs, who demonstrate once again that there is no shortage of creative talent in India. It was extremely difficult to narrow down the pool of talented candidates. I can’t wait to see how this year’s cohort harnesses BAFTA Breakthrough’s opportunities to hone their craft!”

Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content, Netflix India, said: “This marks our fourth consecutive year supporting BAFTA in discovering and nurturing the next wave of creative talent, and the experience has been incredibly fulfilling. India is brimming with storytellers and this collaboration allows us to support emerging voices as they make their mark across industries in the creative landscape. Congratulations to this year’s nine Breakthroughs—we’re excited to see where this journey takes them.”

 Throughout the year-long programme, the Breakthroughs will benefit from professional development while connecting with the academy’s global network of over 12,000 members. They will also get the opportunity to share their expertise with peers from around the world, engaging in a creative and cultural exchange across the film, games and television circuits. In addition to this, they will receive free access to BAFTA events and screenings for 12 months and full voting BAFTA membership in the academy’s world-leading film, games and television awards. Moreover, as BAFTA Breakthrough artists, they will be promoted on a global stage, gaining access to opportunities beyond Indian shores.

BAFTA’s Breakthrough today counts 290 people amongst its alumni, including Callum Turner, Florence Pugh, Gemma Langford, Letitia Wright, Tom Holland, and Josh O’Connor since its inception in 2013. Having launched in India in 2020, the programme has since nurtured the careers of creative talents like Alokananda Dasgupta, Arun Karthick, Jay Pinak Oza, Karthikeya Murthy, Shruti Ghosh, Sumukhi Suresh, and Taniya Maniktala, amongst others. Many of BAFTA’s previous Breakthroughs have flourished in their careers, with several even becoming BAFTA winners and nominees.